Alibi Picks

Cranes and Songbirds: Chatter Sunday

Using a combination of wind instruments and percussion to describe the essentially airborne, song-like life of birds, composers John Luther Adams and Shirish Korde have succeeded in creating musical interludes that signify the delicate balance and struggle involved in the natural existence of the avians with whom we share this planet. On Sunday, Aug. 3, at 10:30am at The Kosmos (1715 Fifth Street NW), Chatter presents a concert of airy music of these composers’ works, as well as delving into a selection of sonatas by Bach. This musical experience is preceded by a poetry reading by John Macker.

The concert, featuring flautists Jesse Tatum and Shelley Brown, as well as Alexis Corbin, Hovey Corbin and Jeff Cornelius on percussion, focuses on naturalistic interpretation as well as the ornate restraint typical of Bach’s sonatas. The musicians will perform Adams’ songbirdsongs, Korde’s Tenderness of Cranes and “Trio Sonatas” from The Musical Offering. While Pulitzer Prize-winner Adams' work is directly inspired by nature, Korde took his inspiration for Tenderness of Cranes from Japanese shakuhachi flute techniques, created by a wooden instrument used in the Edo period and by Zen monks. The elegant subtlety of the Sonatas provide a rich counterpoint to the proceedings. As always, the prices range from $5-$15, and the happening includes gratis espresso. The Kosmos • Sun Aug 3 • 10:30am • $5-$15 • View on Alibi calendar